Question

Given: The equation of a parabola is x2 = 8y. Step 1: What is the value of a for the given parabola? Enter the expression for the value of a. Use your keyboard and the keypad to enter your answer. Then click Done.

Answer 1

Comparing the given equation with the focus-directrix form of a parabola with vertical axis, x2 = 4ay, we see that 4a = 8. So a = 2.

Explanation:

Answer 2

we have that
x² = 8y-------> y=(1/8)*x²

we know that
the equation of a parabola is of the form
y=a(x-h)²+k
in this problem
a=1/8
(h,k)--------> is (0,0)------> is the vertex of the parabola
a > 0--------> the parabola opens up

therefore

the answer is
the value of a is (1/8)